Chapter 1011

Madelyn, holding the plate of peeled grapes, stood up and approached the woman who had earlier commented. The crowd watched in surprise as Madelyn, unperturbed, placed the plate on the table.

She said gracefully, “I’m on a diet and can’t finish these alone. Please, consider this a gift from him, and I hope you enjoy them.”

The woman, who had been joking, was taken aback and stammered, “N-n-no… Mrs. Jardin, I was just joking.”

Kevin frowned as he observed from a distance, curious about Madelyn’s intentions.

Madelyn reassured the woman softly, “It’s okay, please share them. I’m going to wash my hands in the restroom.”

When another woman offered to accompany her, Madelyn declined with a polite smile, “No need, I can manage. Enjoy yourselves.”

At that moment, Cecilia interjected sharply, “Ms. Jent, if you’re trying to humiliate someone, pick a more appropriate occasion. This is a company event, not a playground.”

The atmosphere tensed as Cecilia confronted Madelyn. It was common knowledge at Jardin Corporation that Cecilia, who had risen from an assistant, had feelings for Zach.

Madelyn replied with measured calm, “Ms. Stamford, you might want to be more careful with your words in front of others. It could seem like you lack basic social etiquette. A plate of grapes is hardly humiliation. Think before you speak. But do tell me ladies, do you feel humiliated?”

Madelyn’s response, delivered with a poised smile, starkly contrasted with Cecilia’s anger.

The woman with the grapes, oblivious to the brewing tension, cheerfully said, “No, not at all. Mr. Jardin peeled them, and Mrs. Jardin didn’t touch them.”

Cecilia’s expression darkened as she snapped, “Shut up. It’s not your place to speak.”

Intimidated, the woman fell silent.

Madelyn continued, “Ms. Stamford, she’s an employee here. You’re humiliating her without cause. If this is how the executives at Jardin Corporation behave, it’s rather concerning.”

Cecilia sneered, “You…”

However, Madelyn interrupted, “Ms. Stamford! Please, address me as Mrs. Jardin.”

Madelyn raised her wedding ring, her tone gentle yet assertive, effortlessly overshadowing Cecilia’s hostility.

Cecilia, visibly upset by Madelyn’s confidence, retorted, “What’s there to be proud of, Madelyn! Without me, you wouldn’t even be here!”

Zach, why did you bring her into the company? You’ve always held in contempt those like her, mere decorative vases in the home, serving no real purpose. In the previous lifetime, Madelyn was never a match for me, having to detour whenever she saw me.’ Cecilia thought.

Cecilia, thinking back to their past, felt a rush of emotions but quickly suppressed them. She then haughtily said, “Mrs. Jardin? Please, you should just go back home. This place isn’t for you!”

At that moment, Zach appeared, standing beside Madelyn in support. He asked, “Who’s suitable, if not my own wife?”

Zach draped his suit jacket over Madelyn, then addressed Cecilia, “Ms. Stamford, your emotional outbursts might require medical attention. Another incident, and you can forget your position.”

Cecilia glared at Zach, seething with anger.

Madelyn linked her arms with Zach. As they left together, she said affectionately, “It’s time for my medication.”

Blake approached Cecilia, “Ms. Stamford, I’ve prepared the documents you requested.”

In a sudden outburst, Cecilia slapped Blake, venting her frustration, “You’re too slow! What use are you?”

Stunned, Blake held her face in pain and looked down, avoiding eye contact.

Cecilia stormed off, as Kevin watched her leave before turning his attention to Blake.

Cecilia wondered, ‘Why does Madelyn have that bracelet! Zach never even let me touch it, but he gave it to her so easily!’